Admission Of Strangers.

ADMISSION OF STRANGERS .

LONDON , SATURDAY , NOVEMBER , 15 , 1882 .

"With a view , it is to he supposed , of the advantage to he derived from an interchange of Masonic courtesy , as well as the greater uniformity of working , likely to accrue from occasional visits to strange lodges , an ancient ordinance , from wliich has emanated the existing instructions in our Rook of Constitutions ,

lays down that rulers in the Craft shonld , at times , witness the solemnization of our rites in neighbouring lodges ; than such a course of procedure , nothing can be more calculated to establish and maintain friendly relations with the society at large , and as by

a natural course of reasoning , which has been considered advisable for Masters and "Wardens may be deemed equally expedient for Masons generally . It is evident , tlierefore , apart from other considerations , that hospitality should be viewed by us all , as a

necessary and pleasing duty . iNothing can be more chilling to the feelings or opposed to the true principles of the . Order than an inattention to this important point . There are instances on record , though I trust but few , when brethren who

have travelled far to attend a lodge-meeting , have been in a measure treated as interlopers , and given to understand , that their presence is regarded rather as an intrusion than as a compliment ; on the other hand , who of us but remembers with pleasure , warm and

fraternal greetings experienced in similar positions ? Individually , I hold that the true spirit of Masonry is never better exemplified than by a sprinkling of strangers at a Masonic assemblage ; by it a greater degree of emulation actuates the office-bearers , and whilst mindful of the duties of hospitality , members

vie with each other in demonstrating to their guests the efficiency and perfect state of- their lodge , formality , and indeed every other matter of a disagreeable nature , being rigidly eschewed . The practice of refreshment upon the . conclusion of business may be

said to be generally prevalent , and when such is the case , visitors are frequently invited to partake of the good cheer set forth ; the expense of this sequence to the evening ' s obligations is defrayed in different ways , by some lodges from the general fund , and by

others the cost is divided amongst the members who actually partake of the refection ; where the latter custom prevails , visitors are more commonly excluded from participation in the pleasures of the table than in lodges where the expense fall upon the

entire community . Albeit these are questions in which Masonic legislation cannot authoritatively pronounce , there are few members ofthe Craft who do not think taat the general observance of refreshment is open to improvement . Let examination , prior to admittance ,

be rigid and minute ; but when a visitor is one-3 Avithin the Avails , neglect no duty of hospitality . It is certain that adequate circumspection is not invariably exercised , and the responsible parties are but too often biassed by personal friendship , or by the status in society of the applicant for admission ; these

ought to be extraneous matters , and should procure exemption from no test that would be applied to the most utter stranger . Ton may show an individual to be of spotless integrity in the discharge of his mundane obligations , and be disposed to place perfect

reliance on the word of another , whose position in the social scale forbids distrust , yet would bs guilty of a grave error in admitting , or counselling tlie admittance of , either without the obligatory guarantee . Circumstances occur , where tact and judgment

of Masters are sorely tried—a brother perchance craves admittance , whose memory , at best , far from retentive , fails to supply the necessary rejoinders , his certificate probably en regie ; another arrives , brimful of information , but unprovided with a certificate ;

what is to be done in these cases ? It is , I believe , generally held that naught but both diploma and actual ability to sustain examination absolutely

entitles to admission ; but where good grounds of belief in the veracity of the candidates' statement are jjlainly apparent , it is questionable whether peremptory exclusion is justifiable ; I incline to the opinion that in either of the above-mentioned cases , a reobligation would be sufficient , though extreme caution ,

would be necessary and the corroborative testimony of an actual member of the lodge should be a sine qua non . We may assume that the majority of brethren would on no account vouch for persons with whom they were but cursorily acquainted , or have not met

in lodge , and we should render such a contingency impossible by demanding in all instances from vouchers , satisfactory reason for their confidence . Once admitted within the portals , if the lodge has not yet been opened , it becomes the duty of the

member enjoying a previous acquaintance with the visitor , to present him to the Master , from whom , on account of Masonic , not social , position , a few words of welcome , courteously delivered , come with a peculiar grace . Should the stranger have passed the

chair , a seat in the East ought to be accorded him , whilst if he has not progressed so far in the Order , he may be left to the discretion of the brother by whom he was introduced . At the termination of

business , if refreshment be provided , the Master or Principal Officer , should personally request the visitor to partake of it , and on the dispersion of the brethren the recipient of these attentions will doubtless feel it incumbent on him to shake the presiding officer by the hand , and whilst bidding good night , render an acknowledgement of the civilities experienced , both at labour and refreshment . III .